MLB NEWS

Mets GM admits ticket sales factor in Harvey’s slot

The Sports Xchange

March 25, 2015 at 2:57 pm.

New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey. Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson acknowledged assigning right-hander Matt Harvey the second game of the home-opening series was partly based on ticket sales.

Alderson said right-hander Jacob deGrom getting named the starter for the April 13 home opener at Citi Field against the Philadelphia Phillies mostly was based on merit.

Harvey, who missed the 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery, is slated to make his second start of the season April 14, which would be the Mets’ second home game.

“Look, we take a lot of things into account,” Alderson said. “I think the first and foremost is: Does any pitcher deserve to pitch in a game of that sort? And I think that was the primary focus. You’re assuming people are more interested in seeing Harvey pitch than Jacob. That’s probably true, but not something that I would acknowledge. There are lots of secondary considerations.”

Alderson was then asked if ticket sales were among those secondary considerations.

“Could be,” he said with a smile.

Last season, the Mets drew 42,442 on Opening Day at Citi Field against the Washington Nationals and 29,146 in the second game.